The Logan will be launched in India next year. The Mahindra JV with Renault will launch this Logan in the first half of 2007. In the joint press meet of Mahindra and Renault, it was announced that all plans were going on track right to the date of the launch.

CNBC-TV18 has been told that the Logan will have six versions by 2009 and some of them will head to India. Twenty-five such Logan cars are already on the road, undergoing various tests in India. The final test will be conducted in October.

Pawan Goenka, president, automotive sector, M&M, says that project cost will be less than estimated Rs700 crore. Carlos Ghosn, CEO, Renault and Nissan, says that India holds a lot of potential for both Renault and its alliance partner, Nissan. He also indicated that Renault would look at a full-fledged manufacturing in India.

Ghosn said, "We are very hopeful that with our association with Mahindra, we are going to be able to really have a presence with Renault in India. The Indian market is a very important one, we have a very good partner and we are going to start selling the Logan in India very soon. Frankly, we think also that India can represent a much bigger potential both for Nissan and for Renault."

On being quizzed about their 100 per cent subsidiary, Renault India''s role in this and would he look at expanding operations here, he says, "Obviously, if I would tell you that we are limiting our ambition to the first step only, you would be disappointed, but we are not. We are going to India to be a full-fledged car manufacturer in India. It is starting with Mahindra, with a very good co-operation from Mahindra and it will not stop there."